Mareth Line

In World War II, German defensive line in North Africa running from the sea close to Mareth to the Matmata Hills, about 50 km/30 mi away; it followed the Wadi Zigzau, a dried river bed which made an excellent defence against tanks.

The German field marshal Rommel retired to this line in March 1943, and British frontal attacks failed to dislodge him. He was finally manoeuvred out of the position by a force of New Zealand troops accompanied by the British 1st Armoured Division which made a wide flanking movement around the Matmata Hills. A hastily organized blocking operation by 21 Panzer Division managed to hold off the threat for long enough to allow Rommel and the rest of his forces to retire from the line into Tunisia.